New designated women parking spaces, now available.

[72doug2,2S]

'Bout time?

A German mayor has controversially introduced ‘easy parking spaces’ for women. Spaces in a new car park in the town of Triberg, are allocated with male and female symbols.

The spaces for women are wider and well lit, while men’s spaces are closer to concrete pillars and can only be reversed into.

Mayor Gallus Strobel said it was a natural decision to introduce gender based parking spaces because men are better at parking than women.

‘In the new car park we found that two place were not rectangular, at an angle to the road and placed between walls and pillars; that makes parking difficult, so we decided to allocate them to men’ said the 58-year-old mayor.

Not wanting to sound completely sexist, he added women are welcomed to try and park in the men-only spaces.

He also added that ten spaces were reserved only for women as opposed to just two for men.

His controversial new idea has so far received mostly positive feedback, despite being accused by one angry female critic of exhibiting ‘male pigheadedness.

According to Strobel, one man even said he was travel to the town just to try the new parking.

‘I never expected this reaction’ said Strobel.

‘I’ve been on the phone all day, the TV will come. I am happy, and it looks like we’ve hit a raw nerve in society. It’s been a great marketing gimmick.

‘Women can come here and prove me wrong, and while they’re at it, they can see the town’s attractions’ he added.

Germany mayor introduces ‘Easy parking spots’ for women « News and Views | Express yourself on the most happening community online



'Easy' parking spots for women introduced by German mayor - Telegraph

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Seems reasonable to me. Sitting in the passenger seat while my wife tries to park the car is 2 parts heart attack and 3 parts facepalm.

The sad thing is, she's driving forwards.

[kach22i]

The link does not go back to "the Onion", but maybe it should.

The things I've seen and lived through does give this story merit, I must admit.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

My father had a saying. "Lady drivers? No survivors."

Did I mention the time my wife racked up 5 speeding tickets in the space of 2 weeks?

[john70t]

Why Computer Voices Are Mostly Female - Slashdot
"One notable exception has been Germany, where BMW was forced to recall a female-voiced navigation system on its 5 Series cars in the late 1990s after being flooded with calls from German men saying they refused to take directions from a woman."

This thread has brought back painful memories of driving around and around the block because I missed a parking space.

[Baz]

Ha ha!

Met with new husband and wife clients this morning.

After our meeting we got into some chit chat about driving. I asked how many drivers actually thought about vehicle speed strategy on Interstate driving. He said I use my cruise control. She said (blank expression) in other words....I have no strategy.

Disclaimer: There are very competent female drivers out there. The ones who are not on the phone are at least on the long list.

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

My father had a saying. "Lady drivers? No survivors."

Did I mention the time my wife racked up 5 speeding tickets in the space of 2 weeks?

In 2010, the last of the second generation owners of my company, a couple in their 80s, were struck by an 18 wheeler when they failed to see it coming and entered the intersection. Who was driving? The wife. They both died.

Luckily, the third generation had all under control and we are still a go.

[Rick Lee]

These parking spaces have existed in Germany for as long as I've been driving there (about 20 yrs.). Why is this in the news now?

[vash]

i close my eyes and do deep breathing exercises when my wife is pulling us into a parking lot. she is a great driver..but so indecisive. she will start pulling into a spot, and suddenly swerve out looking for a better option..repeatedly. if the car would just slow down enough..i would step out and let her fight her inner demons alone. hmmm..maybe roller blades would let me get out of a faster moving car?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by vash

i close my eyes and do deep breathing exercises when my wife is pulling us into a parking lot. she is a great driver..but so indecisive. she will start pulling into a spot, and suddenly swerve out looking for a better option..repeatedly. if the car would just slow down enough..i would step out and let her fight her inner demons alone. hmmm..maybe roller blades would let me get out of a faster moving car?

Cliff - an easy solution for this - YOU drive!

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by vash

i close my eyes and do deep breathing exercises when my wife is pulling us into a parking lot.

I close my eyes for about 75% of the trip, the first minute is the toughest.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by vash

i close my eyes and do deep breathing exercises when my wife is pulling us into a parking lot. she is a great driver..but so indecisive. she will start pulling into a spot, and suddenly swerve out looking for a better option..repeatedly. if the car would just slow down enough..i would step out and let her fight her inner demons alone. hmmm..maybe roller blades would let me get out of a faster moving car?

My wife is a bit like this, too. But she also qualifies for Rick Lee's 2-parking spot thread. Not because she'll take 2 spots, but because she'll take the spot next to the only other car in an otherwise empty lot.

On the other hand, she is the best parallel-parker with whom I've ever ridden. Give her 8 inches longer than the vehicle and she'll get it in, first try.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

These parking spaces have existed in Germany for as long as I've been driving there (about 20 yrs.). Why is this in the news now?

The women parking spots have been around, mainly for security reasons - they are next to the elevator in the brightest spot of the garage so women feel more at ease. Parking garages are apparently a place where women may be assaulted.

This is a gimmick by the city of Triberg. I read an interview with the mayor. They are not serious. Women may park in this space as well. They have gotten a lot of attention out of this PR gag. Not a bad deal. Triberg is a nice town in the Black Forest with the biggest (tallest) waterfalls in Germany IIRC, so they took the opportunity and publicity to advertise their town.

I got a good chuckle out of it, though I have to wonder who designed the parking garage where there are two obnoxious spaces like that.

G

[aigel]

My wife drives at least as good as I do. She is a farm girl, can shift the 915, dump truck, back hoe and also back up a trailer with one or several axles (including steering axles). I never had any trouble at the boat ramp launching the boat and her backing it up. I think she was a true exception at the boat ramp, every other guy had to back it up themselves, jump over to the boat etc.

I feel safe too with my wife driving. I take long naps on road trips and arrive relaxed. Friends always ask "how was the drive - you must be tired" (addressing me). Of course I answer that I am feeling great, as I slept most of the way catching up for lack of sleep during the week.

Cheers,

G

[dennis in se pa]

Looks like my wife parking. I believe the security aspect mentioned is a good thing. But there are some (men and women) who really need to learn how to park.

[Flieger]

TU Muenchen FSAE car

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/news/formula-student-saturday-gallery/

[Bill Douglas]

Here in Wellington we have a women only parking area.

[72doug2,2S]